Plate carrier apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for mounting wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to a user. Embodiments may include a plate frame assembly comprising one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates. The one or more plate frames may at least partially house the one or more ballistic body armor plates and hold them in position with respect to the one or more plate frames. A method of embodiments may include providing one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates and using the one or more plate frames to hold the one or more ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with respect to the body armor plates. In some embodiments, the plate frame assembly is resistant to the absorption and/or accumulation of liquids and chemicals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/506,182, filed Apr. 2, 2012, entitled “PlateCarrier Apparatus and Method,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,777,997, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No.29/395,765, filed Mar. 27, 2012, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D677433, andclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/626,784, filed Oct. 3, 2011, entitled “Plate Carrier Apparatus andMethod,” the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments generally relate to the mounting of wearable ballistic bodyarmor plates and accessories to military and law enforcement personneland other individual people.

Description of the Related Art

People in current military and law enforcement units are required towear hard ballistic armor plates and flexible soft armor plates. Inaddition, the people in these units must also be able to carry extraequipment to allow them to accomplish their mission. Most of these extrapieces of equipment are typically carried by pouches worn by theindividual person. These pouches plus the hard and soft armor pieces areattached to the upper torso of an individual via a soft material sewn insuch a fashion that it carries these pieces. The resulting vest istypically referred to as a load bearing vest or tactical vest.

In an attempt to meet the demands of carrying a variety of tacticalequipment, manufacturers must make tactical vest designs that have amodular attachment system, which adds unnecessary material and bulk tothe tactical vest. These tactical vests are all sewn pieces of nylonmaterial, which must wrap the armor plates and have a closure flap toprevent the plate from falling out.

The materials sewn are also not resistant to the absorption of liquidsand chemicals. Once these materials become impregnated with a liquidthat is harmful, they are considered useless and disposed of promptly.If the same tactical nylon material is immersed in water, it absorbs asubstantial amount of water and takes on that unnecessary weight untilit can be dried out.

As the demand increases to decrease the overall weight of this equipmentand provide resistance to liquids and chemicals, the need exists toprovide military and law enforcement units and other individuals anintegrated light weight streamlined armor carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments generally provide an integrated light weightstreamlined armor carrier.

Some embodiments generally provide an armor carrier which is resistantto liquid and chemicals.

Embodiments generally include a plate frame assembly wearable by a userto provide ballistic protection to the user, comprising a rigid plateframe; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one or more bodyarmor plates at least partially housed in the rigid plate frame and heldin a fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plateframe, the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features forsecuring tactical equipment thereto.

Other embodiments generally include a method of forming a plate frameassembly, comprising providing an integrated rigid plate frame assemblyhaving one or more holes therethrough for securing tactical equipmentthereto; providing a ballistic body armor plate, the ballistic bodyarmor plate for providing ballistic protection to a user; holding thebody armor plate in a fixed position with respect to the integratedrigid plate frame using the plate frame; and providing one or moreshoulder supporting members through the plate frame to support the plateframe assembly from the user's shoulders.

Other embodiments generally include a plate frame assembly wearable by auser to provide ballistic protection to the user, comprising a rigidplate frame; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one ormore body armor plates attached to the rigid plate frame and held in afixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plate frame,the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features for securingtactical equipment, one or more pockets, or one or more pouches thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features of embodiments ofthe present invention can be understood in detail, a more particulardescription of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had byreference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admitto other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body armor plate of embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body armor plate in a plate frame ofembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of attachment straps of embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of attachment straps on a plate frameassembly of embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows multiple views of examples of how a plate frame assemblymay be worn on a user's torso in embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows multiple views of accessories attached to a plate frameassembly worn on a user's torso in embodiments.

FIG. 9A is a section view of a bladder of embodiments.

FIG. 9B is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may beused with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.

FIG. 9C is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may beused with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.

FIG. 9D shows to view of a second embodiment of a bladder which may beused with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an embodiment of an inflatable bladderattached to a plate frame with a body armor plate.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the bladder attached to the plateframe with a body armor plate of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a side perspective view of the bladder attached to the plateframe with a body armor plate of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is front view of a second embodiment of a plate frame assemblywith a cummerbund strap detached.

FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a left side exploded, cross-sectional view of a front tabassembly of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a left side perspective, exploded view of a front tabassembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front tab assembly ofFIG. 14 with a front tab inserted into a front slot.

FIG. 17 is a left side view of the front tab assembly of FIG. 16 withthe front tab inserted into the front slot.

FIG. 18 is a front side perspective view of a third embodiment of aplate frame assembly with a cummerbund strap detached.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a section view of a shoulder strap assembly of the plateframe assembly of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments may include an integrated, generally rigid plate frame orplate carrier designed to hold ballistic armor plates in a fixedposition with a decreased amount of surface material, weight and bulkcompared to current vest designs.

Embodiments may include a non-sewn, soft material formed and fused toprovide one or more pouches, straps and/or cummerbund.

In embodiments, one or more inflatable and/or non-inflatable bladdersmay be attached to an armor frame and cummerbund to increase buoyancyand comfort in the plate carrier. The bladder serves as a thin paddingbetween the armor carrier and upper torso of the user.

In some embodiments, the integrated hard frame, cummerbund (which may bemade of a soft material), pouch material, and inflatable/non-inflatablebladder(s) are resistant to absorption of liquids and chemicals.

This frame 10 has features that allow the ballistic armor plate 20 to beattached to a user's body by one or more attachment straps such asattachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The plateframe 10 also has built in features (e.g., holes therethrough) thatallow tactical equipment to be attached to the plate frame 10.

Plate Frame 10 or Plate Carrier (See FIGS. 1-3 and 4)

The plate frame 10 or plate carrier, in some embodiments, is a rigidpiece of material that securely grabs and retains a ballistic body armorplate 20. The plate frame 10 acts as a carrier of the body armor plate20 and may frame the body armor plate 20. The plate frame 10 hasunnecessary material removed to decrease the weight that is loaded onthe user. The plate frame 10 could for example be made out of plastic,metal, and/or any other non-porous rigid material. By making the plateframe 10 out of these types of material, the plate frame is liquid,chemical, and biohazard resistant. These types of material can be easilydecontaminated. Forming the plate frame from these types of materialalso eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when theplate frame is submerged in water.

The body armor plate 20, which is also a rigid piece of material in someembodiments, provides ballistic protection to the wearer. The body armorplate 20 may include any type or material of body armor plate whichprovides ballistic protection to the wearer known to those skilled inthe art. The level of protection of the body armor plate is typicallyspecified by the armor manufacturer and could range from protection fromlow velocity projectiles to protection from high velocity bullets. Oneexample of materials which the body armor plate may be constructed fromincludes a formed, rigid ceramic plate with a soft woven Kevlar backing,the ceramic plate and backing sandwiched together into one singularplate.

The plate frame 10 may include a first plate frame portion 10A and asecond plate frame portion 10B, the first and second plate frameportions 10A and 10B releasably connectible to one another via one ormore attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B. The body armor plate 20 mayinclude a first body armor portion 20A and a second body armor portion20B. The first body armor plate portion 20A may be secured to the firstplate frame portion 10A by one or more plate frame extensions 12 whichextend from the first plate frame portion 10A and wrap around the firstbody armor portion 20A to hold it in place with respect to the firstplate frame portion 10A. Likewise, the second body armor plate portion20B may be secured to the second plate frame portion 10B by one or moreplate frame extensions 14 which extend from the second plate frameportion 10B and wrap around the second body armor plate portion 20B tohold it in place with respect to the second plate frame portion 10B.

The first body armor plate portion 20A and the second body armor plateportion 20B may be of generally the same size, shape, and configuration.As shown in FIG. 3, each body armor plate portion 20A, 20B may begenerally curved around in shape to conform generally to the curves of afront and back of a person's torso. The curvature of the body armorplate portions 20A, 20B and the plate frame portions 10A, 10B maygenerally the same as or similar to standard curvatures of body armorplates in the industry, known to those skilled in the art. The bodyarmor plate portions 20A, 20B may be mirror images of one another intheir curvature and in their dimensions when placed with the inside ofthe curve of the body armor portions 20A, 20B facing one another.Approximately the lower half of a length of the body armor portions 20A,20B may be generally equal in width, and approximately the upper half ofthe length of the body armor portions 20A, 20B may decrease in widthgradually until the top of the body armor portions 20A, 20B is reached.This decrease in width of the upper half and uniform width of the lowerhalf may be the same on each side of each respective body armor portion20A, 20B, so that each body armor portion is symmetric over its length.The decrease in width at the upper half of the body plate portion 20Bmay be accomplished by an inward slope in the width of the upper half ofthe body plate portion 20B, forming an angle A1 of the body armorportion and an angle on the other side of the body armor portion whichmay be the same as angle A1 (a similar width decrease may be present inthe body armor plate portion 20A). Of course, it is within the scope ofembodiments that the body armor portions 20A, 20B are not mirror imagesof one another and do not have the same dimensions, curvature, etc. asone another. It is also within the scope of embodiments that the bodyarmor portions 20A, 20B are of different lengths, widths, curvatures,angles, etc.

The plate frame 10 generally corresponds to the size, shape, andcurvature of the body armor plate 20. In this regard, the first plateframe portion 10A generally corresponds to the size, shape, andcurvature of the first body armor plate portion 20A, and the secondplate frame portion 10B generally corresponds to the size, shape, andcurvature of the second body armor plate portion 20B. The first plateframe portion 10A and the second plate frame portion 10B may be mirrorimages of one another in their curvature and dimensions (as defined bythe outer edges of the plate frame portions 10A, 10B). Approximately thelower half of a length of the plate frame portions 10A, 10B may begenerally equal in width, and approximately the upper half of the lengthof the plate frame portions 10A, 10B may decrease in width graduallyuntil the top of the plate frame portions 10A, 10B is reached. Thisdecrease in width of the upper half and uniform width of the lower halfmay be the same on each side of each respective plate frame portion 10A,10B, so that each plate frame portion is symmetric over its length. Anangle of the plate frame portion which corresponds with the angle A1when the plate frame portion and body armor plate frame 20 are assembledtogether may be approximately the same as the angle A1 of the body armorplate frame 20. Of course, it is within the scope of embodiments thatthe plate frame portions 10A, 10B are not mirror images of one anotherand do not have the same dimensions, curvature, etc. as one another. Itis also within the scope of embodiments that the plate frame portions10A, 10B are of different lengths, widths, etc.

The plate frame 10 may include a number of holes therein of differentsizes and shapes for performing various purposes, including forinserting the attachment straps therethrough and for attaching variousequipment (e.g., tactical equipment such as pockets, pouches, backpacks,etc.) to the plate frame 10. The plate frame 10 may be designed as shownin the figures so that the holes therein are shaped to allow attachingof specific tactical equipment, pockets, pouches, backpacks, etc. to theholes. In one example which is not limiting of embodiments, the one ormore pouches may have tabs that extend through the holes in the plateframe 10 and then wrap around the plate frame 10 back onto themselves,and the portions of the tabs which overlap themselves may be attached toone another using, for example one or more hook and loop fasteners(e.g., Velcro®) or what is referred to as a “tuck-tab.” The first plateframe portion 10A may include first and second shoulder strap attachmentholes 6A, 6B through a top portion of the first plate frame portion 10A,and the second plate frame portion 10B may include third and fourthstrap attachment holes 7A, 7B through a top portion of the second plateframe portion 10B. In some embodiments, when the inside of the firstplate frame portion 10A and the inside of the second plate frame portion10B are facing one another, the first strap attachment hole 6A and thethird strap attachment hole 7A correspond to one another and aregenerally in line with one another, and the second strap attachment hole6B and the fourth strap attachment hole 7B correspond to one another andare generally in line with one another. To this end, the hole 6A may bedisposed at a first position on the first plate frame portion 10A togenerally correspond with a position of the right shoulder of the userwhen the plate frame 10 is placed on the user, and the hole 7A maylikewise be disposed at a first position on the second plate frameportion 10B to generally correspond with a position of the rightshoulder of the user when the plate frame 10 is placed on the user. Thehole 6B may be disposed at a second position on the plate frame portion10A to generally correspond with the left shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user, and the hole 7B may be disposed ata second position on the second plate frame portion 10B to generallycorrespond with a position of the left shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user.

These holes 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B may be used for threading attachment straps35A, 35B therethrough to support the plate frame 10 and any otherconnections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20, other attachmentstraps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame) on theshoulders of a user's body (see FIGS. 7 and 8). These holes 6A, 6B, 7A,7B in some embodiments are sufficient in length and width to allow theattachment straps 35A, 35B to thread therethrough as shown in FIGS. 6-8.The holes 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B in some embodiments may either be generallyrectangular or oblong or oval shaped, for example as shown in FIGS. 1-2.The width or smaller diameter of the holes 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B as measured attheir central axes should be larger than the thickness of the attachmentstraps 35A, 35B, and the length or larger diameter of the holes 6A, 6B,7A, 7B as measured at their central axes should be larger than the widthof the attachment straps 35A, 35B to ensure that the attachment straps35A, 35B may be inserted therethrough. In one example, the attachmentstraps 35A, 35B may each be approximately 1.5 inches wide, and the holes6A, 6B, 7A, 7B may correspond to those dimensions to provide a loose fitin order to allow the attachment straps 35A, 35B to slip through theholes easily. In some embodiments, the holes are slanted on the plateframe 10, to generally correspond with the sloping of a user's shouldersso that the shoulder attachment straps 35A, 35B ultimately may slantdownward.

The first plate frame portion 10A may also include one or morecummerbund strap attachment holes, including in some embodiments firstcummerbund strap attachment hole 8A and second cummerbund strapattachment hole 8B spaced apart from one another on a first side of thefirst plate frame portion 10A and third cummerbund strap attachment hole8C and fourth cummerbund strap attachment hole 8D spaced apart from oneanother on a second side of the first plate frame portion 10A. Thesecond plate frame portion 10B may also include one or more cummerbundstrap attachment holes, including in some embodiments fifth cummerbundstrap attachment hole 9A on one side and sixth cummerbund strapattachment hole 9B on the other side of the second plate frame portion.Embodiments are not limited to the number of holes on each side of theplate frame portions 10A, 10B, but any number of holes through the plateframe portions 10A, 10B which allow threading of cummerbund attachmentsstraps 30A and 30B or other similar attachment straps therethrough arewithin the scope of embodiments (likewise, any number of holes throughthe plate frame portions 10A, 10B which allow threading of the shoulderattachment straps 35A, 35B therethrough is also within the scope ofembodiments). In some embodiments, the first and second holes 8A and 8Bmay be instead just one continuous hole, and the third and fourth holes8C and 8D may instead be just one continuous hole similar to the holes9A, 9B. In some embodiments, the holes 9A and 9B may be split up intotwo holes on each side, similar to the holes 8A, 8B and 8C, 8D.

The holes 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 9A, and 9B may be positioned at or near awaist area of a user when the user has the plate frame 10 disposed onhis or her body properly to support and position the plate frame 10 andany other connections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20, otherattachment straps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame)with respect to a waist area of a user's body (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

In some embodiments, when the inside of the first plate frame portion10A and the inside of the second plate frame portion 10B are facing oneanother, the first and second cummerbund strap attachment holes 8A and8B and the first cummerbund strap attachment hole 9A correspond to oneanother and are generally in line with one another, and the third andfourth cummerbund strap attachment holes 8C and 8D and the secondcummerbund strap attachment hole 9B correspond to one another and aregenerally in line with one another. These holes 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 9A, and9B in some embodiments are sufficient in length and width to allow theattachment straps 30A, 30B to thread therethrough as shown in FIGS. 6-8.The holes 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 9A, and 9B in some embodiments may either begenerally rectangular or oblong or oval shaped, for example as shown inFIGS. 1-2. The width or smaller diameter of the holes 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D,9A, and 9B as measured at their central axes should be larger than thethickness of the attachment straps 30A, 30B being threaded through theparticular hole, and the length or larger diameter of the holes 8A, 8B,8C, 8D, 9A, and 9B as measured at their central axes should be largerthan the width of the attachment straps 30A, 30B portion being threadedthrough the particular hole to ensure that the attachment straps 30A,30B may be inserted therethrough. Example dimensions (which are notlimiting of embodiments) include the following: the width W3 may beapproximately 1.250 inches, and the width W1 may be approximately 2.750inches.

Attachment Straps and Accessories (see FIGS. 5-8)

FIG. 5 shows the attachment straps 35A and 35B as well as the attachmentstraps 30A and 30B, and FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an embodiment of the plateframe 10 with the attachment straps disposed through their respectiveholes in the plate frame 10. The attachment straps 35A and 35B may eachbe a generally flexible band or strap having a length, width, andthickness. In some examples which are not limiting of embodiments, eachof the straps 35A, 35B may be approximately 1.5 inches wide andapproximately 24 inches long.

In an embodiment, the attachment straps 30A and 30B may each include afirst end 31 and a second end 32. A first attachment strap portion 33Aextending from the first end 31 to a first location on the attachmentstrap 30A, 30B may be of a first width W1 and may be single attachmentstrap as shown in FIG. 5. A second attachment strap portion 33B may beof a second width W2 and also a single attachment strap as shown in FIG.5. A third attachment strap portion 33C may include two straps 34A, 34Bspaced apart from one another, each strap having a width W3. The twostraps 34A, 34B may extend to the second end 32.

In some embodiments, between the second attachment strap portion 33B andthe first attachment strap portion 33A, the width may taper gradually,in one example at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. In one exampleembodiment which is shown in FIG. 5, the first width W1 is smaller thanthe second width W2, and the third width W3 may be smaller than thefirst width W1. In some embodiments, the combined width of the thirdwidth W3 of both straps 34A, 34B as well as the space between the twostraps 34A, 34B may be approximately the same as the width W2. In anexample which is not limiting of embodiments, the width W1 may beapproximately 2.75 inches, the width W2 may be approximately 5 inches,the width W3 may be approximately 1.25 inches, the space between straps34A and 34B may be approximately 2 inches, the length of firstattachment strap portion 33A may be approximately 11.5 inches, thelength of second attachment strap portion 33B may be approximately 11inches, and the length of third attachment strap portion 33C may beapproximately 5 inches.

The first portion 31 may be sized to fit through the holes 9A, 9Bthrough the second plate frame portion 10B, and the third portion 33Cstraps 32 may be sized so that each of the two straps 32 may fit throughthe holes 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D through the first plate frame portion 10A.Additionally, the space S between the two straps 32 is sized so that thestraps 32 may fit through the holes 8A and 8B or 8C and 8D (in otherwords, the space S—or the distance between the straps 32—generallycorresponds with the distance of the holes 8A and 8B from one another orthe distance of the holes 8C and 8D from one another. The differentwidths W1 and W2 of the attachment straps 30A and 30B may act as a stopat the width W2 for the attachment straps 30A and 30B through theirrespective holes in the plate frame 10. The portion of the width W2between the space S may also act as a stop for the other end of theattachment straps 30A, 30B through their respective holes in the plateframe 10.

The second portion 33B of each attachment strap 30A, 30B may include oneor more holes therethrough which allow attaching of tactical equipmentor other accessories to one or more of the attachment straps 30A, 30B.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the one or more holes include fourholes 36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D, with two in the first row (holes 36A and36B) and two in the second row (holes 36C and 36D). Of course, anynumber of holes in any configuration may be included on the attachmentstraps 30A, 30B and may be included on any portion of the attachmentstraps 30A, 30B to permit attachment of tactical equipment or otheraccessories to the attachment straps 30A, 30B.

The first, second, and third portions 33A, 33B, 33C may be made of oneunitary piece or may be attached or fused to one another, e.g., viawelding when made of a weldable material. Other attachment methods knownto those skilled in the art for attaching strap portions or othersimilar materials to one another are also within the scope ofembodiments.

The material used to make the one or more shoulder attachment straps35A, 35B, the one or more cummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B, and anyother accessories or attachments (see FIG. 8 and description below) forthe plate frame 10 could, for example, be a non porous, liquid andchemical resistant fabric. The one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B,35A, 35B and any accessories or attachments could, for example, beformed and fused out of weldable material to alleviate any machine orhand sewing. By making the one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A,35B and accessories or attachments out of these types of materials,embodiments are liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant. By weldingthe materials together instead of sewing, you eliminate the sewn seemswhere bio-contaminants and chemicals can easily get trapped, thus makingembodiments more easily decontaminated. Forming the one or moreattachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B and any accessories or attachmentsout of these types of materials also eliminates any extra weight beingadded to the material when the plate frame 10 and associated componentsare submerged in water.

To attach the plate frame 10 to the body plate 20, each body armor plateportion 20A, 20B is placed in its respective plate frame portion 10A,10B, and the one or more tabs 12, 14 of the plate frame portions 10A,10B clamp around the outer edges of the body armor plate portions 20A,20B to retain each body armor plate portion 20A, 20B with (and in someembodiments, within) its corresponding plate frame portion 10A, 10B.Each body armor plate section 20A, 20B may be at least partially housedwithin its respective plate frame portion 10A, 10B. The tabs 12, 14 maybend back to allow each body plate portion 20A, 20B to be inserted inthe tabs 12, 14 of its respective plate frame portion 10A, 10B andhoused between the tabs 12, 14 and the inside of the plate frame portion10A, 10B so that the tabs 12, 14, which may also be termed “hooks,” mayhook each body plate portion 20A, 20B to its respective plate frameportion 10A, 10B or may wrap around each body plate portion 20A, 20B toconnect the body plate portions 20A, 20B to their respective plate frameportions 10A, 10B. FIG. 4 shows the body plate 20 attached (e.g., hookedor clamped) to the plate frame 10 via extensions or tabs 12, 14. Thetabs 12, 14 may be spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the plateframe 10 to distribute the attachment points along the plate frame 10and body plate 20, thus more securely attaching the components to oneanother and distributing the force exerted on the plate frame 10 andbody plate 20 along the components.

When the body plate 20 and plate frame 10 are attached to one another,for example as shown in FIG. 4, the body plate 20 provides the ballisticprotection, while the plate frame 10 holds the body plate 20 in generalposition on the user's body and allows the attachment of accessories andtactical equipment to the plate frame 10 and body plate 20. The holes inthe plate frame 10 allow attachment of one or more accessories and/ortactical equipment to the assembly of the body plate 20 and plate frame10, while the body plate 20 provides ballistic protection at thelocations of the plate frame 10 holes.

The plate frame assembly 50 includes the shoulder attachment straps 35A,35B, the plate frame 10, and the body armor plate 20. When the shoulderattachment straps 35A and 35B are threaded through their respectiveholes 6A, 7A and 6B, 7B in the plate frame 10 and the cummerbundattachment straps 30A and 30B are threaded through their respectiveholes 8A, 8B, 9A and 8C, 8D, and 9B, the plate frame assembly 50 may beused as protection for the user as shown in FIG. 7.

Inflatable and/or Non-Inflatable Bladders (See FIGS. 9A-10)

The plate frame assembly 50, which could be a rigid plate frameassembly, may optionally include one or more inflatable ornon-inflatable bladders or other similar padding devices or paddingmembers known to those skilled in the art. FIGS. 9B and 9C show anexemplary bladder 40 which may be used as padding for the plate frameassembly 50, FIG. 9A shows a strap or a first section 41 which may beincluded with the bladder 40 of FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9D shows a secondembodiment of a bladder 45 which may be used as padding for the plateframe assembly 50.

In some embodiments, the bladder 40 may include a first section 41 and asecond section 42. The first section 41 may be used to secure thebladder 40 to the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 and may be a strapfor strapping the bladder 40 to the body plate 20. One bladder 40 may beused in conjunction with the first plate frame portion 10A and firstbody armor plate portion 20A assembly 50A, and another bladder 40 may beused in conjunction with the second plate frame portion 10B and secondbody armor plate portion 20B assembly 50B. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C showthe bladder 40 connected to the second plate frame portion 10B andsecond body plate portion 20B, with the second plate frame portion 10Band second body armor plate portion 20B attached to one another. Toassemble the bladder 40 into the second plate frame portion assembly50B, the second body plate portion 20B and the bladder 40 may bemanipulated so that the second body armor plate portion 20B is disposedbetween the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40.

The first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 may beattached to one another at connection points 43A, 43B, and 43C, theconnection points acting as stops for the bladder 40 with respect to thesecond plate frame assembly 50B. When the second body plate frame 20B isdisposed in the bladder 40 between the first and second sections 41, 42,the connection point 43C keeps the bladder 40 in vertical position toprevent its riding up on second plate frame assembly 50B, and theconnection points 43A and 43B keep it in horizontal position to preventits moving horizontally with respect to the second plate frame assembly50B. Additionally, the connection points 43A and 43B may rest on a tabportion 44 (e.g., one of the tabs 14) of the second plate frame portionto keep the bladder 40 in a vertical position to prevent its downwardmovement with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50B. Of course,the connection points 43A, 43B, 43C may result from the first section 41and second section 42 being attached to one another, or instead theentire bladder may be made from one unitary piece of material so thatconnection points 43A, 43B, 43C are actually stops for the bladder 40with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50B but not connectionpoints between two pieces of material.

The first section 41 of the bladder 40, which may be a strap, may begenerally triangular-shaped to allow for triangulating stops for thebladder 40 with respect to the body plate 20. In some embodiments, thefirst section 41 may also include a triangular-shaped cutout therein.The second section 42 of the bladder 40 may be shaped generally the sameas the body armor plate portions 20A, 20B (with respect to the perimeterof the body plate portions 20A, 20B) to provide padding for the entireportion of the body plate 20 facing the user's body, which body plate 20portion would be in contact with the user's body without presence of thebladder 40. In some embodiments, the contour and curvature of thebladder 40 also generally conform to the contour and curvature of thebody plate 20.

These bladder(s) 40 may be padded internally with foam and/or air(and/or other similar internal padding substance known to those skilledin the art), e.g., with the second section 42 acting as the housing forthe foam or other padding or as an air chamber. When the bladder ispadded internally with air or other fluid, the bladder 40 may includeone or more valves 46 which allow air or other fluid to enter and/orexit the inside of the bladder 40 to increase or decrease padding forthe user. The padding may be adjustable (e.g., by adding or removing airfrom the inside of the bladder through valve(s)) to increase or decreasepadding to the user as needed or desired.

A separate bladder 40 may be placed on each plate frame assembly portion50A and 50B to protect the front and back of the user, respectively. Thebladder 40 configuration and operation may be the same when used inconjunction with the plate frame assembly portion 50A as describedherein with respect to the plate frame assembly portion 50B.

FIG. 9D illustrates a second embodiment of a bladder 45 for use with theplate frame assembly 50 of embodiments. This bladder 45 may be used toprovide padding for both the front and back of the user between the bodyplate portions 20A, 20B and the user's body. The bladder 45 may includea first section 41A at one end and a first section 41B at the other endof the bladder 45, the sections 41A and 41B the same in configurationand operation as the first section 41 described with respect to thebladder 40. The bladder 45 may also include a second section 47connected to each first section 41A, 41B at the three triangularattachment points 43A, 43B, 43C as described with respect to the secondsection 42 of the bladder 40. Just as described with respect to thebladder 40, the first sections 41A, 41B and second section 47 mayinstead of being two separated, connected pieces be made of one unitarypiece of material, and the connection points 43A, 43B, 43C may insteadjust function as stops.

The second section 47 of the bladder 45 may include one piece thatextends over the shoulders of the user and over the front and back ofthe user's torso. In this way, the bladder 45 may also pad the shouldersof the user, in addition to padding the front and back of the user'storso between the body armor plate 20 and the user's body. The secondsection 47 of the bladder 45 may include a first portion 47C and secondportion 47D, the first and second portions each similar in shape andconfiguration to the second section 42 of the bladder 40. Extendingbetween the first and second portions 47C and 47D is a third portionwhich includes shoulder padding portions 47A and 47B. The shoulderpadding portions 47A and 47B are formed by a cutout 48 through thebladder 47. The cutout 48 allows a person's head to be insertedtherethrough so that the shoulder padding portions 47A and 47B rest onthe person's shoulders between the shoulder attachment straps 35A, 35Band the user's shoulders. In an alternate embodiment, the shoulderpadding portions 47A and 47B may act as the shoulder attachment straps,possibly eliminating the need for the shoulder attachment straps 35A,35B.

The bladder 45 may include one or more valves 46 for adding and removingair or other fluid from the bladder 45 to increase or decrease paddingof the bladder 45, as described with respect to the bladder 40. Thebladder 45 may be added to the plate frame assembly 50 in much the sameway as the bladder 40 may be added to the plate frame assembly, exceptthat one of the portions 47C or 47D is used to pad the body plateportion 20A and the other of the portions 47C or 47D is used to pad thebody plate portion 20B, with the shoulder padding portions 47A and 47Bover the right and left shoulders of the user. The bladder portion 47Cmay be secured to the first plate frame assembly 50A by the firstsection 41A being sandwiched between the plate frame portion 10A and thebody plate portion 20A and the bladder portion 47C disposed between thebody plate portion 20A and the user's body. The bladder portion 47D maybe secured to the plate frame assembly portion 50B by the first section41B being sandwiched between the plate frame portion 10B and the bodyplate portion 20B and the bladder portion 47D disposed between the bodyplate portion 20A and the user's body. Of course, it is within the scopeof embodiments that the either of the first sections 47C, 47D may beused in either the plate frame assembly portion 50A or the plate frameassembly portion 50B. The bladder 47, including bladder portions 47A,47B, 47C, and 47D, in one embodiment may act as one single housing forthe foam or other padding or act as a single air chamber.

The valve(s) 46 for the bladder(s) 40, 45 are optional. To inflate orincrease padding of the bladder 40, 45, an air or fluid source such asan air pump may be hooked up to the valve, and air may be pumped intothe inside of the bladder 40, 45 through the valve 46 to the desiredinflate level. To deflate or decrease padding of the bladder 40, 45, thevalve may be opened to let air/fluid out of the inside of the bladder40, 45.

The bladder(s) 40, 45 may be sealed and made of a non-porous material.This bladder 40, 45 provides a pad between the rigid armor frame and theuser's body to provide comfort. The air trapped in the bladder 40, 45also helps float the armor should it become submerged in water. Thebladder 40, 45 may be made of a non-porous material that is liquid,chemical and biohazard resistant. The bladder material may, for example,be made of any material meeting these requirements which is used forinflatable or non-inflatable bladders by those skilled in the art. Thesetypes of material can be easily decontaminated. Making the bladder(s)40, 45 of this type of material also eliminates any extra weight beingadded to the material and thus to the plate frame assembly 50 when theplate frame assembly 50 is submerged in water.

In embodiments described herein, the one or more attachment straps 30A,30B, 35A, 35B, the one or more bladders 40, 45, and the one or moreaccessory pouches or other accessories may, for example, be made of apolyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) coated nylon, a vinyl-coated polyester orcordura or ripstop fabric, a two-way or four-way stretch nylon andSpandex blend, and/or a polyester mesh. These materials are merelyexample materials and not limiting of the materials from which thesecomponents may be made. The material used to make the one or moreattachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B, the one or more bladders 40, 45,and the one or more accessory pouches or other accessories could, forexample, be a non porous, liquid and chemical resistant fabric. Thesecomponents could, for example, be formed and fused out of weldablematerial to alleviate any machine or hand sewing. By making thesecomponents out of these types of materials, embodiments are liquid,chemical, and biohazard resistant. By welding the materials togetherinstead of sewing, you eliminate the sewn seams where bio-contaminantsand chemicals can easily get trapped, thus making embodiments moreeasily decontaminated. Forming these components out of these types ofmaterials also eliminates any extra weight being added to the materialwhen the plate frame 10 and associated components are submerged inwater.

FIG. 8 shows various accessories or attachments attached to the plateframe assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly. The attachment may includepouches or pockets 64A, 64B, 64C. Any number of pouches or pockets maybe attached to the plate frame assembly 50, including one or more thanone pouch or pocket. The attachment may, for example, be an ammunitionof magazine pouch 60 having three pockets or pouches 64A, 64B, 64C forholding one or more accessories such as magazine 63, magazine 62, and/ormagazine 61 (carry bullets/ammunition). The attachment may be attachedto the front plate frame assembly portion 50A, as shown in FIG. 8. Oneor more accessories or attachments may also be attached to the backplate frame assembly portion 50B, such as a backpack 67 or pouch forcarrying water or other fluid. The one or more attachments oraccessories may be connected to the plate carrier 10 by attachment ofthe one or more attachments or accessories or straps extending therefromto one or more attachment straps 35A, 35B which are thread through holesin the plate frame 10, through threading straps extending from the oneor more attachments or accessories through one or more holes in theplate frame, and/or through snapping a portion of the attachments oraccessories (e.g., an extension from the attachment or accessories) intoone or more of the holes through the plate frame 10. The one or moreattachments or accessories, while securely fastened to the plate frame10, may also be easily removed from the plate frame 10.

A method of forming the plate frame assembly 50 or plate carrierassembly includes attaching the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 to oneanother. To attach the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 to one another,the first plate frame portion 10A and the first body plate portion 20Aare connected to one another, and the second plate frame portion 10B andthe second body plate portion 20B are connected to one another. Toattach the first plate frame portion 10A to the first body plate portion20A, the first body plate portion 20A is placed in the inward curve ofthe first plate frame portion 10A via movement of the extensions 12 ortabs extending from the first plate frame portion 10, the extensions 12or tabs moving in a direction away from the first plate frame portion10A via applied force to allow the first body plate portion 20A to behoused at least partially within the inward curve of the inside of thefirst plate frame portion 10A. The extensions 12 or tabs move in adirection toward the first plate frame portion 10A upon the absence ofthe application of force (e.g., they are biased closed) to retain thefirst body armor plate portion 20A in place with respect to the firstplate frame portion 10A when the first body plate portion 20A is inplace, housed in the first plate frame portion 10A. The extensions 12 ortabs may also clamp the first body plate portion 20A in place withrespect to the first plate frame portion. The second body plate portion20B is connected to the second plate frame portion 10B in the samemanner as described herein with respect to the first body plate portion20A and the first plate frame portion 10A, with extensions 14 or tabsbeing used instead of extensions 12 or tabs. FIG. 4 shows the first bodyplate portion 20A connected to the first plate frame portion 10A as wellas the second body plate portion 20B connected to the second plate frameportion 10B.

The shoulder attachment strap 35A is disposed through the hole 6A in thefirst plate frame portion 10A and through the hole 7A in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that a first end of the shoulder attachmentstrap 35A extends through the first hole 6A and a second end of theshoulder attachment strap 35A extends through the second hole 7A. Theshoulder strap 35A portions which extend from the holes 6A, 7A may thenbe attached to the shoulder strap portion which they overlap (the strapmay be attached to itself) (see FIG. 6), e.g., via welding, fusing, orattaching hook and loop fasteners secured to the shoulder attachmentstrap 35A by welding or fusing, to secure the shoulder attachment strap35A to the first plate frame portion 10A and second plate frame portion10B, thereby attaching the first and second plate frame portions 10A and10B to one another and providing a shoulder strap for the user whichsecures the plate frame assembly 50 to the user's body (e.g., viahanging from the user's shoulder). The shoulder attachment strap 35A mayin one embodiment have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g.,Velcro®) welded or fused to the shoulder attachment strap 35A to allowattaching the shoulder attachment strap 35A at or near its ends to theoverlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35A via placingcooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as knownto those skilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 35A back ontoitself). In another embodiment, the shoulder attachment strap 35A may bewelded or fused at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of theshoulder attachment strap 35A (welded or fused onto itself).

The shoulder attachment strap 35B is disposed through the hole 6B in thefirst plate frame portion 10A and through the hole 7B in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that a first end of the shoulder attachmentstrap 35B extends through the first hole 6B and a second end of theshoulder attachment strap 35B extends through the second hole 7B. Theshoulder strap 35B portions which extend from the holes 6B, 7B may thenbe attached to the shoulder strap portion which they overlap (the strapmay be attached to itself) (see FIG. 6), e.g., via welding, fusing, orattaching hook and loop fasteners secured to the shoulder attachmentstrap 35B by welding or fusing, to secure the shoulder attachment strap35B to the first plate frame portion 10A and second plate frame portion10B, thereby attaching the first and second plate frame portions 10A and10B to one another and providing a second shoulder strap for the userwhich secures the plate frame assembly 50 to the user's body (e.g., viahanging from the user's shoulder). The shoulder attachment strap 35B mayin one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends to theoverlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35B (welded orfused onto itself). In another embodiment, the shoulder attachment strap35B may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) weldedor fused to the shoulder attachment strap 35B to allow attaching theshoulder attachment strap 35B at or near its ends to the overlappingportions of the shoulder attachment strap 35B via placing cooperatinghook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to thoseskilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 35B back onto itself).

The cummerbund attachment strap 30A is disposed through the holes 8A and8B in the first plate frame portion 10A and through the hole 9A in thesecond plate frame portion 10B so that first ends 32 of the cummerbundattachment strap 30A extend through the first holes 8A and 8B and thesecond end 31 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30A extends through thesecond hole 9A. The cummerbund attachment strap 30A portions whichextend from the holes 8A and 8B may then be attached to the cummerbundstrap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself)(see FIG. 6), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loopfasteners secured to the cummerbund attachment strap 30A by welding orfusing, to secure the cummerbund attachment strap 30A to the first plateframe portion 10A and second plate frame portion 10B, thereby attachingthe first and second plate frame portions 10A and 10B to one another andproviding a cummerbund for the user which secures the plate frameassembly 50 to the user's body (e.g., via extending around the user'swaist area). The cummerbund attachment strap 30A may in one embodimentbe welded or fused at or near its ends 31, 32 to the overlappingportions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30A (welded or fused ontoitself). In another embodiment, the cummerbund attachment strap 30A mayhave one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fusedto the cummerbund attachment strap 30A to allow attaching the cummerbundattachment strap 30A at or near its ends to the overlapping portions ofthe cummerbund attachment strap 30A via placing cooperating hook andloop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled inthe art (attach the attachment strap 30A back onto itself).

The cummerbund attachment strap 30B is disposed through the holes 8C and8D in the first plate frame portion 10A and through the hole 9B in thesecond plate frame portion 10B so that first ends 32 of the cummerbundattachment strap 30B extend through the first holes 8C and 8D and thesecond end 31 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30A extends through thesecond hole 913. The cummerbund attachment strap 30B portions whichextend from the holes 8C and 8D may then be attached to the cummerbundstrap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself)(see FIG. 6), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loopfasteners secured to the cummerbund attachment strap 30B by welding, tosecure the cummerbund attachment strap 30B to the first plate frameportion 10A and second plate frame portion 10B, thereby attaching thefirst and second plate frame portions 10A and 10B to one another andproviding a cummerbund for the user which secures the plate frameassembly 50 to the user's body (e.g., via extending around the user'swaist area). The cummerbund attachment strap 30B may in one embodimentbe welded or fused at or near its ends 31, 32 to the overlappingportions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30B (welded onto itself). Inanother embodiment, the cummerbund attachment strap 30B may have one ormore hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to thecummerbund attachment strap 30B to allow attaching the cummerbundattachment strap 30B at or near its ends to the overlapping portions ofthe cummerbund attachment strap 30B via placing cooperating hook andloop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled inthe art (attach the attachment strap 30B back onto itself).

It is within the scope of embodiments that the attachment straps 30A,30B, 35A, 35B may be threaded through any holes in the plate frameportions 10A, 10B and that the attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B maybe connected to the plate frame portions 10A, 10B using any attachmentmethod known to those skilled in the art. Embodiments also are notlimited to attaching the attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B to theiroverlapping portions at the ends of the straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B, butthe attachment (e.g., by welding, by fusing, or by connectingcooperating hook and loop fasteners secured to the attachment strap 30A,30B, 35A, 35B by welding or fusing) may be accomplished at anyoverlapping portions of the straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B when the straps30A, 30B, 35A, 35B are inserted through their respective holes in theplate frame 10.

When the one or more bladders 40 are used with the plate frame assembly50, a bladder 40 may be disposed on the first body plate portion 20A sothat the first body plate portion 20A is located between the firstsection 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40, as shown in FIGS.10A, 10B, and 10C. Thus, the first body plate portion 20A is sandwichedbetween the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40,and the attachment point 43C of the bladder 40 acts as a stop for thebladder 40. The first plate frame portion 10A may then be “snapped” onthe first body plate portion 20A as described herein, and the firstsection 41 of the bladder 40, which acts as a strap to secure thebladder 40 to the first body plate portion 20A, is housed between thefirst body plate portion 20A and the first plate frame portion 10A asshown in FIGS. 10A-C. The second section 42 of the bladder 40 is locatedon the inside surface of the first body armor plate 20A, as shown inFIGS. 10A-C, to provide padding between the user's body and the firstbody armor plate 20A. Also as shown in FIGS. 10A-C, the first and secondattachment points 43A and 43B may rest on one of the extensions/tabs 12of the first plate frame portion 10A to stabilize the position of thebladder 40 with respect to the first plate frame assembly.

Another bladder 40 may be disposed on the second body plate portion 20Bso that the second body plate portion 20B is located between the firstsection 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40, as shown in FIGS.10A-C. Thus, the second body plate portion 20B is sandwiched between thefirst section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40, and theattachment point 43C of the bladder 40 acts as a stop for the bladder40. The second plate frame portion 10B may then be “snapped” on thesecond body plate portion 20B as described herein, and the first section41 of the bladder 40, which acts as a strap to secure the bladder 40 tothe second body plate portion 20B, is housed between the second bodyplate portion 20B and the second plate frame portion 10B as shown inFIGS. 10A-C. The second section 42 of the bladder 40 is located on theinside surface of the second body armor plate portion 20B, as shown inFIGS. 10A-C, to provide padding between the user's body and the secondbody armor plate portion 20B. Also as shown in FIG. 10A-C, the first andsecond attachment points 43A and 43B may rest on one of theextensions/tabs 14 of the second plate frame portion 10B to stabilizethe position of the bladder 40 with respect to the second plate frameassembly.

When the bladder 45 is used with the plate frame assembly 50 or platecarrier assembly, the first body plate portion 20A is inserted inbetween the sections of one end of the bladder 45, and the second bodyplate portion 20B is inserted in between the sections of the other endof the bladder 45. For example, the first body plate portion 20A isinserted between the section 41A and the section 47D, while the secondbody plate portion 20B is inserted between the section 41B and thesection 47C. The body plate portions 20A and 20B are ultimately housedbetween the bladder portion 47 and the bladder portions 41A and 41B,respectively. The body plate portion 20A is sandwiched between thebladder sections 41A and 47D, while the body plate portion 20B issandwiched between the bladder sections 42A and 47C. The attachmentpoints 43A, 43B, and 43C act as stops for the bladder 45 ends. The plateframe portions 10A, 10B which correspond with the body armor plateportions 20A, 20B may then be “snapped” onto the body armor plateportions 20A, 20B as described herein. The shoulder straps 35A, 35B andthe cummerbund straps 30A, 30B may then be attached to the plate frame10 as described herein.

It is also within the scope of embodiments that the attachment straps30A, 30B, 35A, 35B may be attached to the plate frame 10 at any point inthe method, including prior to the attachment of the body plate 20 tothe plate frame 10 and/or bladder(s) 40, 45 to the plate frame assembly50.

The plate frame assembly 50 may be worn on the user as shown in FIG. 7.FIG. 7 shows the plate frame assembly 50 worn without the bladders 40,45, but the plate frame assembly 50 with the bladders 40, 45 would beworn in much the same way. The plate frame assembly 50 may be placedover the head of the user after it is assembled, or a portion of theplate frame assembly 50 (e.g., the two plate frame assembly portions50A, 50B) may be placed on the user during the assembly of the plateframe assembly 50 (e.g., prior to the adding of the shoulder straps 35A,35B and/or cummerbund straps 30A, 30B to the plate frame assemblyportions 50A, 50B).

If the bladders 40, 45 are inflatable, they may be inflated at any timeduring the method, or air or other inflating substance may be added orremoved at any point in the method, and they may also be inflated or theinflating substance added or removed when the user is wearing the plateframe assembly 50. The bladders 40, 45 may optionally be attached to thecummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B.

The cummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B are not limited to being wornaround the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of the user,but may be worn around the user at any location.

The shoulder support straps 35A, 35B are merely examples of a shouldersupporting member for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shouldersupport straps 35A, 35B, any type of shoulder supporting member whichallows the plate frame assembly 50 to be supported by the shoulders of auser may be utilized with the plate frame assembly 50, and the shouldersupporting member is not limited to straps.

A second embodiment of a plate frame assembly 150 is shown in FIGS.11-17. The plate frame assembly 150 may include first and second plateframe portions 110A and 110B and first and second body armor portions120A and 120B, the first plate frame portion 110A for retaining thefirst body armor portion 120A and the second plate frame portion 110Afor retaining the second body armor portion 120B. The first plate frameportion 110A may at least partially house the first body armor portion120A therein, and the second plate frame portion 110B may at leastpartially house the second body armor portion 120B therein. The plateframe assembly 150 is very similar in function and operation to theplate frame assembly 50 shown and described in relation to FIGS. 1-10,with the primary difference in function and operation being in the tabs(or hooks or clamps) which retain the body armor portions 120A, 120B inposition with respect to their respective plate frame portions 110A,110B. The tabs of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-17 may be adjustable and/orinterchangeable tabs 112A-G and 114A-G.

The adjustable tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be adjustable to fit bodyarmor plates of various widths, lengths, and thicknesses. The tabs112A-G and 114A-G may be insertable in corresponding holes in the plateframe portions 110A and 110B, respectively. Holes in the plate frameportions 110A, 110B through which the tabs 112A-G, 114A-G are insertablemay be raised portions (e.g., raised portion 191 shown in FIG. 15) ofthe plate frame portions 110A, 110B with holes (e.g., hole 180 shown inFIG. 15) therethrough corresponding to the shape of the tabs 112A-G and114A-G to be inserted therein (in alternate embodiments, the raisedportions 191 may instead be separate pieces attached to the plate frameportions 110A, 110B). The tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be swapped out fortabs of different sizes to fit different sizes of body armor plates120A, 120B and connect the body armor plates 120A, 120B of various sizesto the plate frames 110A, 110B. Additionally or instead, the tabs 112A-Gand 114A-G may be adjusted within the holes 180 outward from and inwardtowards the plate frame portions 110A and 110B in which they aredisposed (and locked into place once they are in the desired position)to allow different widths and lengths of body armor plates 120A, 120B tobe attached to the plate frame portions 110A, 110B via the adjustabletabs 112A-G, 114A-G.

The different tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be attached to the holes in theplate frame portions 10A, 10B, respectively, by any attachment mechanismknown to those skilled in the art for attaching removable or adjustabletabs to a frame. The tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be insertable into theircorresponding holes in the plate frame portions 110A, 110B and lockedtherein by the attachment mechanism, but remain detachable and removablefrom the holes as desired or needed by the user.

An example attachment mechanism may be a flexible tooth over an opposingtooth (much like a ziptie). One example is shown in FIGS. 14-17,including an example adjustable tab 112 with its corresponding hole 180in the plate frame portion 110A (only a section of the plate frameportion 110A is shown in FIGS. 14-17), e.g., a hole 180 in the raisedportion 191 of the plate frame portion 110A. The adjustable tab 112 mayhave teeth 181, and the hole 180 may have corresponding teeth 182 sothat when the teeth 181 and 182 are positioned in line with one anotherso that corresponding teeth 181, 182 are in contact with one another,the teeth 182 are housed in divots 183 between the teeth 181 while theteeth 181 are housed in divots 184 between teeth 182, as shown in FIG.16. The teeth 181, 182, when in engagement with one another, prevent thetab 112 from becoming dislodged from the hole 180 and ultimately allowthe tab 112 to securely hold the body plate portion 120A with the plateframe portion 110A. The hole 180 in the raised portion 191 may, forexample, be generally rectangular or box-shaped, but it may instead beany shape which allows the tab 112 to connect to the plate frame portion110A using the hole 180. The “top” of the raised portion 191, e.g., thetop of the box, may include a partially cut-out portion at leastpartially surrounding the teeth 182 forming a tongue 190, the partiallycut-out portion being three sides of a rectangle or box in oneembodiment shown in FIG. 15. The tongue 190 remains biased closed untilacted upon by an opposing force to permit disengagement of the tab 112from the plate frame portion 110A.

To lock the tab 112 in place with respect to the plate frame portion110A, an end of the tab 112 is inserted into the hole 180 in the plateframe portion 110A, and the tab 112 is moved with respect to the hole180 until the teeth 181, 182 engage one another appropriately, forexample as shown in FIG. 16 when the teeth 181 are disposed within thehole 180. To move the tab 112 with respect to the hole 180, the tongue190 may be levered or raised (e.g., by the user pulling on the tongue190 with an opposing force), and to lock the tab 112 into place withinthe hole 180, the tongue 190 opposing force may be released. The locked,engaged teeth 181, 182 (disposed within divots 184, 183 respectively)prevent the tab 112 from moving within the hole 180 with respect to theplate frame portion 110A. The tab 112 may be adjusted within the hole180 by also levering or raising the tongue 190 and moving the tab 112with respect to the hole 180 to a different position, and then releasingthe opposing force on the tongue 190 to again lock the adjusted tab 112into place. To unlock the tab 112 and remove it from the plate frameportion 110A, the tongue is levered, e.g., an opposing force is exertedon the tongue 190 to counteract the bias force of the tongue 190 (e.g.,by the user pulling on the tongue), the teeth 182 are raised withrespect to the teeth 181 thereby disengaging the teeth 181, 182 from oneanother, and the tab 112 may be moved or pulled out of the hole 180.Another tab which may be of a different size than tab 112 (to allow forattachment of a different body armor plate to the plate frame portion)may then be inserted into the hole 180 and locked into place asdescribed above.

The other tabs 112, 114 and holes in the plate frame portions 110A, 110Bmay be configured and operate in the same way as shown and describedwith respect to the tab 112 and hole 180 of FIGS. 14-17.

The attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 14-17 may be a low profiledesign without any snag hazards (corners of the raised portion 191 aresmooth to prevent their catching on anything) or any chance toaccidentally release the tab. Any other attachment mechanism used inlieu of the example attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 14-17 may alsoinclude a low profile design without any snag hazards or any chance toaccidentally release the tab.

Although different tabs may be swapped out, it is also within the scopeof embodiments that the same tabs 112, 114 may be adjusted withoutswapping them out by manipulating the appropriate tongue 190, moving thetab 112 and/or 114 to the appropriate location with respect to the hole180, and locking the tab 112 and/or 114 into place at some locationwhere at least some of the teeth 181, 182 are engaged with one anotherby allowing the biasing force to force the tongue 190 into the directionof the tab 112 or 114. In this way, the width and length of the bodyplates 120A, 120B may be adjusted for without the need for completeremoval and replacement of the tabs 112, 114.

The plate frame assembly 150 also may include one or more attachmentstraps 135A, 135B similar in structure and function to the shoulderstraps 35A, 35B described herein with respect to the plate frameassembly 50. The shoulder straps 135A, 135B may be threaded throughholes 106A, 106B (which are similar in structure and function to holes6A, 6B described with respect to the plate frame assembly 50) in theplate frame portion 110A as well as corresponding holes (not shown, butsimilar in structure and function to holes 7A, 7B described with respectto the plate frame assembly 50) in the plate frame portion 110B. Morespecifically, an end of the shoulder attachment strap 135A is disposedthrough the hole 106A and an other end of the shoulder attachment strap135A is disposed through the corresponding hole 107A in the plate frameportion 110B, and an end of the shoulder attachment strap 135B isdisposed through the hole 106B and an other end of the shoulderattachment strap 135B is disposed through the corresponding hole 107B inthe plate frame portion 110B. The ends of each attachment strap 135A,135B may be looped through their respective holes as shown in FIGS.11-13 and attached to an overlapping portion of the attachment strap135A, 135B, e.g., via welding the straps 135A, 135B to themselves,welding or fusing one or more hook and loop fasteners to the attachmentstraps 135A, 135B and attaching the hook and loop fasteners to oneanother as known to those skilled in the art, or fusing the straps 135A,135B to themselves (as described with respect to the attachment straps35A, 35B).

The plate frame assembly 150 may also include one or more cummerbundattachment straps 130A, 130B similar in structure and function to thecummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B described herein with respect tothe plate frame assembly 50. The tabs 112C and 112F on the bottom sidesof the first plate frame portion 110A, as well as the tabs 114C and 114Fon the bottom sides of the second plate frame portion 110B may eachinclude one or more holes therein for looping the end of the cummerbundstraps 130A, 130B therethrough, similar to the way that the cummerbundstraps 30A, 30B are looped through the holes 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B in the plateframe portions 50A, 50B of the plate frame assembly 50. Morespecifically, an end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130A is disposedthrough the hole(s) associated with the tab 112F and an other end of thecummerbund attachment strap 130A is disposed through the correspondinghole(s) associated with the tab 114F, and an end of the cummerbundattachment strap 130B is disposed through the hole(s) associated withthe tab 112C and an other end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130B isdisposed through the corresponding hole(s) associated with tab 114C. Theends of each attachment strap 130A, 130B may be looped through theirrespective holes and attached to an overlapping portion of themselves,e.g., via welding the straps 130A, 130B to themselves, welding one ormore hook and loop fasteners to the attachment straps 130A, 130B andattaching the hook and loop fasteners to one another as known to thoseskilled in the art, or fusing the straps 130A, 130B to themselves (asdescribed with respect to the attachment straps 30A, 30B).

In operation, each body plate portion 120A, 120B may be attached to itsrespective plate frame portion 110A, 110B using the appropriately sizedtab 112A-G, 114A-G for securely holding the body plate portion 120A,120B in place with respect to the appropriate plate frame portion 110A,110B. The appropriate body plate 120A, 120B may be selected and placedin position with respect to its respective plate frame portion 110A,110B for attachment thereto. The appropriately-sized tabs 112, 114 whichallow secure, fixed engagement of the body plate portions 120A, 120Bwith respect to the plate frame portions 110A, 110B may then be insertedinto the appropriate holes in the plate frame portion 110A, 110B untilthe teeth 181, 182 engage one another to lock the tabs 112, 114 intoposition with respect to the plate frame portions 110A, 110B and therebylock the body plate portions 120A, 120B in place with respect to theirrespective plate frame portions 110A, 110B. In some embodiments, some ofthe tabs 112, 114 may be placed into locking engagement with the plateframe portions 110A, 110B prior to placing the body plate portions 120A,120B into position with respect to the body plate portions 120A, 120B,and some of the tabs 112, 114 may be placed into locking engagement withthe plate frame portions 110A, 110B after the body plate portions 120A,120B are placed in position with respect to the plate frame portions110A, 110B (e.g., only the tabs 112D-E, 114D-E on the bottom of theplate frame portions 110A, 110B may be placed in locking engagement withthe plate frame portions 110A, 110B, the body plate portions 120A, 120Bmay then be positioned with respect to their respective plate frameportions 110A, 110B, and then the remaining tabs 112A-C, 112F-G, 114A-C,and 114F-G may be placed in locking engagement with the appropriateholes in the plate frame portions 110A, 110B).

After the desired tabs 112, 114 are inserted to the desired extentthrough the holes 180 in the plate frame portions 110A, 110B, thecummerbund attachment straps 130A, 130B may be threaded through theappropriate holes in the tabs 112F, 114F, 112C, 114C as described above,and the shoulder attachment straps 135A, 135B may be threaded throughthe appropriate holes in the plate frame portions 110A, 110B as alsodescribed above. (In an alternate embodiment, any or all of the straps130A, 130B, 135A, 135B may be threaded through its/their intendedhole(s) and secured prior to the addition of the tabs 112, 114 to theplate frame portions 110A, 110B and/or prior to the attachment of thebody plate portions 120A, 120B to the plate frame portions 110A, 110B.)Once the ends of the straps 130A, 130B, 135A, 135B are looped throughtheir intended holes, the straps 130A, 130B, 135A, 135B may each besecured to themselves at their overlapping portions via welding, weldingor fusing hook and loop fasteners to the straps 130A, 130B, 135A, 135Band attaching the hook and loop fasteners to one another as known tothose skilled in the art, or fusing as described in relation to thestrap attachment of the plate frame assembly 50 of FIGS. 4-8.

The plate frame assembly 150 may be worn on the user as shown anddescribed in relation to FIG. 7 with respect to the plate frame assembly50. Equipment such as tactical equipment, pouches, pockets, etc. (any ofthe equipment shown and described in relation to attachment to the plateframe assembly 50) may be attached to the plate frame assembly 150 atone or more of its plate frame portions 110A, 110B (e.g., via the holesin the plate frame portions 110A, 110B) in much the same manner as shownand described in FIG. 8 in relation to the plate frame assembly 50.

The plate frame assembly 150 and its associated components may be madefrom the same types of material as described herein in relation to theplate frame assembly 50 and its associated components, and thecomponents of the plate frame assembly 150 may be attached to oneanother in much the same way as components described in relation to theplate frame assembly 50. Optionally, the one or more bladders 40, 45 maybe incorporated in and used with the plate frame assembly 150 in thesame way as described in relation to the plate frame assembly 50.

The ability to switch out and adjust the tabs/extensions/hooks of theplate frame 110 gives modularity to different body armor plates. Thetabs/extensions/hooks are generally not flexible and may in one examplebe made of rigid plastic. Although the tabs/extensions/hooks aredescribed herein using one example connection member and method (teeth),it is within the scope of embodiments that any connection or fasteningmethod or members known to those skilled in the art which allow theplate frame and extensions/tabs/hooks to connect to one another in astable, fixed manner and snap or lock into place and also permit theextensions/tabs/hooks to slide back and forth with respect to the plateframe and adjust may be utilized in embodiments in lieu of or inaddition to the teeth connection method/members described herein.

The cummerbund attachment straps 130A, 130B are not limited to beingworn around the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of theuser, but may be worn around the user at any location. The shouldersupport straps 135A, 135B are merely examples of a shoulder supportingmember for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shoulder supportstraps 135A, 135B, any type of shoulder supporting member which allowsthe plate frame assembly 150 to be supported by the shoulders of a usermay be utilized with the plate frame assembly 150, and the shouldersupporting member is not limited to straps.

FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 show a third embodiment of the plate frameassembly. This third embodiment includes one or more optional shoulderstrap supplementing members-210A and 210B. Each shoulder strapsupplementing member 210A, 210B includes an elongated body having alongitudinal hole running therethrough for inserting its respectiveshoulder attachment strap 35A or 35B therethrough, as shown in FIGS. 18and 19. The shoulder strap supplementing member 210A acts as a sleevefor the shoulder attachment strap 35A, and the shoulder strapsupplementing member 210B acts as a sleeve for the shoulder attachmentstrap 35B. The shoulder strap supplementing members 210A, 210B may eachhave a hole width which is larger than the width of the shouldersupporting member 210A, 210B which will run therethrough, but smallenough to prevent the shoulder supporting member 210A or 210B fromslipping relative to the shoulder attachment strap 35A or 35B. Theshoulder strap supplementing members 210A, 210B may each be paddingmembers for padding the shoulders of the user and in some examples whichare not limiting of embodiments may include a coated foam pad (and mayinclude material surrounding the foam pad which is similar or the sameas the material forming the shoulder attachment straps and/or cummerbundattachment straps described herein).

In some embodiments, the shoulder strap supplementing members 210A, 210Bmay include one or more holes 220A, 220B, respectively, through the topportions thereof, as shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20. These holes 220A,220B may rest on the top of the shoulder supporting straps as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19 (but it is also within the scope of embodiments thatthey may be formed in other locations on the shoulder strap supportingmembers 210A, 210B). The one or more holes 220A, 220B through the topportions of the shoulder strap supplementing members 210A, 210B mayserve as stabilizing forces and/or as routing members for certainattachments to the plate frame assembly 50. For example, one or moretubes, wires, or cables from a hydration system (e.g., the backpack 67shown in FIG. 8) such as a camelback or a radio (or from any otheraccessories or attachments to the plate frame assembly 50 or itsassociated components) may be run through the one or more holes 220A,220B (and holes 225A, 225B as shown and described in relation to FIG.20) through the top of the shoulder strap supplementing members 210A,210B. In one example, a tube for delivering water from a hydrationsystem or backpack 67 to the user may be threaded through the hole 220Aor 220B (or both or a plurality of the holes) (and through 225A, 225B asshown and described in relation to FIG. 20) for easy and directabledelivery of the water-delivering portion of the tube to the user.

FIG. 20 illustrates a portion of the shoulder attachment strap 35A withthe shoulder strap supplementing member 210A partially wrapped aroundit. The shoulder strap supplementing member 210A is shown in the openposition to depict a method of placement of the shoulder attachmentstrap 35A in the shoulder strap supplementing member 210A. The shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A may be attached to itself at itsoverlapping portions when it is wrapped around the shoulder attachmentstrap 35A, e.g. by one or more hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®attached to the mating surfaces of the shoulder strap supplementingmember 210A. As shown in FIG. 20, the shoulder strap supplementingmember 210A may include one or more holes 220A in one end and one ormore holes 225A in its other end which overlap and line up with oneanother when the shoulder strap supplementing member 210A is wrappedaround the shoulder attachment strap 35A and the overlapping portions ofthe shoulder strap supplementing member 210A are appropriatelypositioned and connected to one another (this aligned and connectedposition is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, where side flaps 215A, 215B areplaced in contact with the other sides of the respective shoulder strapsupplementing members 210A, 210B). Although FIG. 20 shows only oneshoulder attachment strap 35A and only one shoulder strap supplementingmember 210A, the other shoulder attachment strap 35B and shoulder strapsupplementing member 210B are configured and act in the same manner asdescribed in relation to FIG. 20).

FIG. 18 shows the optional hook and loop fasteners which may be locatedon at least a portion of at least one side of the shoulder attachmentstrap(s) 35A, 35B, indicated by the dots, to attach the straps 35A, 35Bat their overlapping portions.

The shoulder strap supplementing members 210A, 210B and other featuresdepicted in FIGS. 18-20, although shown in relation to the firstembodiment of the plate frame assembly 50 of FIGS. 1-8, may also beintegrated with and used in the same manner with the plate frameassembly 150 shown and described herein in relation to FIGS. 11-17.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a plate frame which holds bodyarmor, is lighter, and is more streamlined than prior art vests. Theplate frame is capable of holding accessory pouches and providing accessto accessory pouches and other attachments to the plate frame.

The sizes, shapes, and dimensions of components which are describedherein are merely exemplary, and any sizes, shapes, and dimensions ofcomponents which accomplish the intended purposes of the components arewithin the scope of embodiments.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments, other and furtherembodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from thebasic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claimsthat follow.

1. A plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising: a chest plate frameincluding an inner surface that faces the user's chest when the platecarrier is worn by the user, and an outer surface that faces away fromthe user when the plate carrier is worn by the user, the chest plateframe configured to hold a ballistic body armor chest plate in a fixedposition with respect to the chest plate frame with the ballistic bodyarmor chest plate between the inner surface of the chest plate frame andthe user; a back plate frame including an inner surface that faces theuser's back when the plate carrier is worn by the user, and an outersurface that faces away from the user when the plate carrier is worn bythe user, the back plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armorback plate in a fixed position with respect to the back plate frame withthe ballistic body armor back plate between the inner surface of theback plate frame and the user; and one or more shoulder strapsconnecting the chest plate frame and the back plate frame and configuredto allow the plate carrier to be at least partially supported by theuser's shoulders, wherein, each of the chest plate frame and the backplate frame include an adjustable attachment mechanism connected to anouter perimeter of the respective plate frame and configured to hold therespective body armor plate in the fixed position with respect to therespective plate frame, and wherein, each of the chest plate frame andthe back plate frame includes one or more built-in features for securingtactical equipment thereto, the one or more built-in features includingvoids formed in the chest plate frame and the back plate frame.
 2. Theplate carrier of claim 1, wherein the chest plate frame and the backplate frame are made of a non-porous rigid material.
 3. The platecarrier of claim 1, wherein the chest plate frame and the back plateframe are made of a plastic material.
 4. The plate carrier of claim 1,further comprising one or more cummerbund straps extending through thechest plate frame and the back plate frame to connect the chest plateframe and the back plate frame to one another and to provide strapsaround a torso of the user to stabilize the plate carrier around theuser.
 5. The plate carrier of claim 4, wherein at least one of the oneor more cummerbund straps is attached to an overlapping portion ofitself to secure that cummerbund strap to the chest plate frame and backplate frame.
 6. The plate carrier of claim 1, wherein, at least one ofthe one or more shoulder straps is attached to an overlapping portion ofitself to secure that shoulder strap to the chest plate frame and theback plate frame.
 7. The plate carrier of claim 1, wherein the one ormore shoulder attachment straps are made of a non-porous, liquid andchemical resistant material.
 8. The plate carrier of claim 1, whereinthe one or more features for securing tactical equipment thereto includea modular attachment system integrated in the plate carrier, the modularattachment system comprising one or more holes in the chest plate frameand the back plate frame for securing one or more attachments thereto.9. The plate carrier of claim 1, wherein the body armor chest plate isat least partially housed in the chest plate frame and the body armorback plate is at least partially housed in the back plate frame.
 10. Theplate carrier of claim 1, wherein the adjustable attachment mechanismincludes one or more adjustable tabs which are adjustable to accommodatedifferent dimensions of the body armor plates.
 11. The plate carrier ofclaim 1, wherein: the chest plate frame comprises one or more firstextensions extending from an outer perimeter of the chest plate frame tohold the body armor chest plate in the fixed position, and the backplate frame comprises one or more second extensions extending from anouter perimeter of the back plate frame to hold the body armor backplate in the fixed position.
 12. The plate carrier of claim 11, whereinthe first and second extensions include tabs which are removable fromthe respective plate frame, and are interchangeable with one or moretabs of a different size to accommodate body armor plates with differentdimensions.
 13. The plate carrier of claim 1, wherein the adjustableattachment mechanism includes a plurality of extensions configured tohold at least two differently sized ballistic body armor plates to therespective plate frame by selectively adjusting the extensions outwardof the outer perimeter of the respective plate frame.
 14. The platecarrier of claim 1, further comprising the ballistic body armor chestand back plates.
 15. A plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising: arigid plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor plate in afixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame, the rigid plateframe having at least a pair of built-in shoulder strap attachmentpoints, at least a pair of built-in belt attachment points, anadjustable attachment mechanism connected to an outer perimeter of therigid plate frame, and configured to hold the ballistic body armor platein the fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame, and one ormore built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto, the oneor more built-in features including voids formed in the rigid plateframe, wherein, the rigid plate frame includes an inner surface and anouter surface, the fixed position being disposed on the inner surfacesuch that the ballistic body armor plate is between the rigid plateframe and the user when the plate carrier is worn, and the one or morebuilt-in features are configured for securing the tactical equipment tothe outer surface of the rigid plate frame.
 16. The plate carrier ofclaim 15, wherein the rigid plate frame is made of a plastic material.17. The plate carrier of claim 15, wherein the rigid plate frameincludes a chest plate frame configured to hold a body armor chestplate, and a back plate frame configured to hold a body armor backplate, the chest plate frame and the back plate frame being connectedvia shoulder straps extending through the shoulder strap attachmentpoints and cummerbund straps extending through the belt attachmentpoints.
 18. The plate carrier of claim 17, wherein the one or morefeatures for securing tactical equipment thereto include a modularattachment system integrated in the plate carrier, the modularattachment system comprising one or more holes in the chest plate frameand the back plate frame for securing one or more attachments thereto.19. A plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising: a rigid chest plateframe including an inner surface and an outer surface, the rigid chestplate frame configured to substantially surround an outer perimeter of aballistic body armor chest plate, and to hold the ballistic body armorchest plate in a fixed position with respect to the rigid chest plateframe such that the ballistic body armor chest plate is between therigid chest plate frame and the user when the plate carrier is worn; anda rigid back plate frame including an inner surface and an outersurface, the rigid back plate frame configured to substantially surroundan outer perimeter of a ballistic body armor back plate, and to hold theballistic body armor back plate in a fixed position with respect to therigid back plate frame such that the ballistic body armor back plate isbetween the rigid back plate frame and the user when the plate carrieris worn, wherein, each of the rigid chest plate frame and the rigid backplate frame includes an adjustable attachment mechanism connected to anouter perimeter of the respective rigid plate frame and configured tohold the respective ballistic body armor plate in the fixed positionwith respect to the respective rigid plate frame, the adjustableattachment mechanisms being configured to accommodate ballistic bodyarmor plates of different dimensions.
 20. The plate carrier of claim 19,wherein each of the rigid plate frames are made of a plastic material.